ELLIOTT WARD will come face to face with his big brother Darren for only the second time in their competitive careers when the Sky Blues travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

There is nothing to choose between the two sides - currently sixth and seventh in the Coca Cola Championship with on 13 points apiece - and the same goes for the sibling centre-halves who look and play just like each other.

And it will be a real family affair this weekend with their two other brothers Lee and Scott and parents John and Lesley at the game cheering for both sides.

"Hopefully both myself and my brother will be playing and it will be a nice one for my family," said City's #1 million summer signing from West Ham who has earned rave reviews in his first two months at the club.

He has been named man of the match on several occasions - just like his brother who picked up a similar award when he made a return to the Palace side against Norwich last week.

"My own form is not bad and Darren had a good game at the weekend," said Elliott.

"He hadn't been playing until last Saturday and all of a sudden a few things changed and they got a good result, so that is good for him because he has been working hard to get back into the Palace side and hopefully he will keep his place and they will do well, apart from this Saturday."

The chances are that the pair will find themselves in direct opposition at corners and setpieces at some stage, but Elliott insists all brotherly love will go out the window in the heat of battle.

"If I get near him, I definitely won't pull out," he said.

"It does feel a bit strange being on the same pitch at first but you soon get used to it and you soon get into the game and concentrate on what you have got to do, and hopefully Coventry will go there in good spirits and get the result.

"I have marked him in the past when he has come up for a corner, and likewise he has me, but we will have to leave that up to the manager to see what he says. But if I do then I will try my hardest not to let him score."